G7 France 2026: Environmental Leadership, Climate Security and Critical Minerals

Hosted by IGES, this online session took place in the context of the French Republic's Presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) in 2026, which reaffirms the G7’s longstanding commitment to environmental protection, unity and shared priorities. The discussion addressed emerging systemic risks, recognising that accelerating ecological stress and climate change are increasingly intertwined with economic vulnerability and climate security.

IGES invited Céline Kauffmann, IDDRI's Chief Programmes Officer, and coordinator for IDDRI of the T7 (engagement group of think tanks in support of G7), to reflect on key issues and strategic considerations facing the Presidency in a rapidly evolving global geopolitical landscape, highlighting the need for innovative policy responses and enhanced international knowledge-sharing. The session also connected these discussions to cross-cutting priority areas including climate security, critical minerals, resilience and infrastructure—areas central to strengthening prosperity, reducing risk and ensuring long-term stability across G7 countries.

Participants were invited to join this timely exchange to engage with leading policy perspectives and contribute to an informed discussion on shared challenges and priorities.

About Céline Kauffmann:
Before IDDRI, Céline Kauffmann has over two decades of experience at the OECD, where she held senior leadership roles across sustainable development, green investment, regulatory policy and SME and entrepreneurship policy. She has led major policy initiatives and ministerial dialogues on greening business, sustainable finance and international governance, including spearheading OECD work on greening SMEs and green entrepreneurship. She holds a PhD in Economics from Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne.